Physician to pay in Medicare settlement

WICHITA — A Wichita physician and his company has agreed to pay $1.5 million as part of a Medicare settlement, U.S. Attorney for Kansas Barry Grissom said Monday.

Roger W. Evans and his company, EECP Heart Center of Kansas Inc., have agreed to pay $1.5 million to the U.S. to settle allegations that Evans and EECP submitted false claims to the Medicare program, Grissom said. Evans is owner and president of EECP.

Evans operated several clinics across Kansas and provided enhanced counterpulsation therapy, an in-patient service for the treatment of coronary artery disease. The U.S. contends that from July 2005 to June 2009, Evans submitted claims to Medicare for services when Evans wasn’t actually present at the clinics and didn’t provide direct supervision of the procedures as required by Medicare.

During ECP treatment, a patient is placed on a treatment table and the patient’s lower trunk and lower extremities are wrapped in a series of compressive air cuffs which inflate and deflate in synchronization with the patient’s cardiac cycle. The cuffs compress blood vessels in the calves and thighs to increase blood flow and improve cardiac function. A full course of ECP therapy usually consists of 35 one-hour treatments which may be offered once or twice daily, usually five days per week.

“Today’s settlement demonstrates our continuing commitment to protect the integrity of the Medicare program, both by assuring appropriate care to beneficiaries and by recovering improperly paid funds,” Grissom said.

According to the terms of the agreement, Evans and his company don’t admit any wrongdoing.

This settlement is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas.

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that something isn't getting done. Yet, when presented with evidence (otherwise known as facts) that said thing is actually happening, I would think they would cheer from the highest building. Since it doesn't fit their gloomy little image of our government under President Obama I guess they just have nothing to say. Suits me. I like the piece, myself.